Mauritania detains opposition leaders under the charge of supporting coupe
Mauritania, Politics, 12/28/2004

Judiciary in Mauritania ordered the detention of the former President of Mauritania Muhammad Khouna Weld Heydala and the former candidate for the Presidency Ahmad Weld Dada as well as the leader of the unlicensed "Democratic Forum party" Sheikh Weld Harma awaiting their trial under the charges of supporting an armed rebellion movement.

The lawyer of these accused men Yaqoub Jalou said that their three clients are held in a military area in Wadi al-Naqa area to the east of Nouakchott where 191 persons exist the authorities say they are involved in several coupe attempts.

According to sources close to the opposition, the three leaders were taken to the barrack on Monday evening. These sources said they will be presented before the court today to give their testimonies over charges of supporting the participants in the coupe.

The court listened yesterday to five persons involved in planning for a coupe attempt including four army officers, but all of them denied accusations addressed to them.

So far 155 persons were brought before the court, all of them denied accusations addressed to them with the exception of lt. Saleh Weld Muhammad Weld Hnana who is presumed to be the mastermind for the coupe attempt which was foiled last Summer.

Weld Hnana admitted his attempt to topple the ruling system in Mauritania and changing what he called "an illegal regime" in a way similar to that used by President Mu'aweya Weld Seidi Ahmad al-Taye' 20 years ago to assume power in the country.

The opposition in Mauritania accuses Weld al-Taye of taking the alleged coupes attempts as pretexts to oppress the opposition especially the Islamic one which has been winning increasing support in Mauritania streets.

Previous Stories:
  Mauritania: Saleh Hanina admit coupe attempt of Weld Taye'   (12/23/2004)
  Libya gives up the presidency of the Arab Maghreb federation   (12/9/2004)
  Nouakchott: Demonstration protesting the detention of Islamists   (11/19/2004)

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